A Guide to the Petersburg (Va.) Jail Meal Book, 1937-1946
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Barcode numbers: 1199458, 1125859
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference)
Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference)
Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
© 2009 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.
Processed by: Sarah Nerney
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Petersburg (Va.) Jail Meal Account Books, 1937-1946. Local government records collection, Petersburg (City) Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
Acquisition Information
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the city of Petersburg.
These items are located at the State Records Center. Contact Archives Research Services for access information, directions and hours.
Historical Information
Petersburg was formed from parts of Dinwiddie, Prince George, and Chesterfield counties. A garrison and fur trading post called Fort Henry was established in 1645 on the site of the Indian village of Appamattuck. The present name, suggested in 1733 by William Byrd II, honors Peter Jones, Byrd's companion on expeditions into the Virginia backcountry. Petersburg was established in 1748 and incorporated as a town in 1784. In the latter year the towns of Blandford, Pocahontas, and Ravenscroft were added to Petersburg. It was incorporated as a city in 1850. Petersburg was enlarged by annexation from both Prince George and Dinwiddie counties in 1972.
Scope and Content
Petersburg (Va.) Jail Meal Account Books, 1937-1938 and 1945-1946, are a record of the supplies used to make meals for the inmates of the Petersburg city jail. The entries are arranged chronologically by date and then by meal. The 1937-1938 volume contains entries for breakfast, dinner, and chain gang. The 1945-1946 volume contains entries for breakfast, dinner, and supper. The amount of supplies used is recorded as well as type. Supplies recorded include hamburger, beef, chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, succotash, onions, coffee, bread, eggs, sausage, fresh fish, herrings, corn flakes, string beans, grits, bologna, black eyed peas, tomatoes, cabbage, biscuits, spaghetti, pancakes, and macaroni as well as other supplies such as lard, sugar, and baking powder. Inmates got a special holiday dinner of turkey, dressing, cranberries, and fruit cake on December 25.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Index Terms
- Petersburg (Va.) Circuit Court.
- Breakfasts -- Virginia -- Petersburg.
- Dinners -- Virginia -- Petersburg.
- Jails -- Virginia -- Petersburg.
- Menus -- Virginia -- Petersburg.
- Petersburg (Va.) -- History -- 20th century.
- Ledgers (account books) -- Virginia -- Petersburg.
- Local government records -- Virginia -- Petersburg.
Corporate Names:
Subjects:
Geographical Names:
Genre and Form Terms:
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Petersburg (Va.) -- History -- 20th century.